# Economics and ecologics of auto stop/start **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 31, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725 "2026-08-31T19:05:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/41 "2026-09-01T16:56:42Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > There are OBDII dongles that turn it off permanently. Ooh ! I will look into this, thanks. I recently bought a “new” (used) car with this feature which I have to try to remember to switch off - along with the aircon - as they are on by default. Bastards. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/42 "2026-09-01T17:17:18Z")
There might be a website that uses the name autostopeliminator . Might want to search ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/43 "2026-09-01T17:27:21Z")
DH confirms the company name, since he’s using one of their products in our present Jeep, and used one in the one before it. Fortunately, my Dart doesn’t have the stop/start. I worry a lot about excess wear on the starter and related components. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/44 "2026-09-01T17:48:54Z")
I’ve got it in two Subaru’s and a friends Bronco ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/45 "2026-09-01T18:15:11Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > And yeah, we _could_ have lower emissions/higher mileage w/o start-stop (or cylinder deactivation or 3-cyl mini-turbos). Just that we’d have to accept puttering about in econoboxes with double-digit 0-60 times. I sort of disagree with that. You could, in theory, build a car with an e-cvt like the Prius that also offers the driver the option of direct control over drive parameters in order to get a more satisfying driving experience.        The Prius motor is Atkinson Cycle for efficiency, but, AIUI, this is primarily accomplished with valve timing delays, and the engine could, theoretically, be dynamically modified either with supercharging or adjustable valve timing to create more power.       Offering the driver optional control over otherwise automatic parameters could yield a car that is very economical when you need it to be and still fun to operate when you want to play.        There was one occasion, going up the I-5 grade from Oregon into California in my Focus, when I truly needed to use the OD-off button, to stop the gear hunting. When you have a CVT, that issue never crops up. It would be interesting to drive a car with a manually-controllable CVT, though I think you would probably want a HUD tach for convenience. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/46 "2026-09-01T18:23:19Z")
Lotta cars have lots of options for varying degrees of performance vs economics / emissions. Of course the EPA wants (well, wanted) folks to leave the cars in hi economy low emissions = low performance mode, and one hell of a lot of Americans want to leave the car in the opposite mode. Which opposite mode sorta of makes a mockery of all the low emission efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/47 "2026-09-01T18:32:13Z")
The absolute best thing about my car is that the 'stop ‘n go’ stopped working after several months. My car does have a switch to disengage it, but you have to do that each time you get into the car. I wonder if maybe the dealer somehow disengaged it for me permanently during one of my service visits - I had a habit of whining about it. I don’t think they would do that though. Apart from that, I like my car and I don’t overlook that when I replace it I’ll be stuck with the stop 'n go thing once again. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/48 "2026-09-01T18:37:47Z")
> [@Keith1](#): > > when I replace it I’ll be stuck with the stop 'n go thing once again Of course, you might end up stuck with an EV, in which case it will not even matter. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/49 "2026-09-01T18:48:17Z")
As has been mentioned upthread, trump rescinded the regulation which encouraged auto stop/start. So there is now no upside to any manufacturer including it in their cars. The percentage of new US-spec cars including auto stop/start peaked at about 55% of cars sold. So the feature is far from universal. If manufacturers expect those regs to stay cancelled, I WAG they’ll probably stop offering that feature on their US spec cars around model year 2028, ~12 months from now. I do not know how many other countries require or encourage that feature. Lots? Few? None? ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/50 "2026-09-01T18:53:27Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > regulation which encouraged What regulation was that, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/51 "2026-09-01T18:56:03Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Of course, you might end up stuck with an EV, in which case it will not even matter. I’m very strongly considering a hybrid next vehicle, but not ready to replace just yet. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/52 "2026-09-01T19:19:31Z")
The trump regime is doing their best to erase any public record of what came before. But it was part of the now torn-up regs stemming from the 2012 finding that Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are harmful. The new regime says greenhouse gases are fine. Punchline being I’m not readily finding a cite to the actual since-rescinded regulatory text. The only stuff on the EPA website is glowing praise of trump’s wisdom in abandoning all pretense towards pollution regulation. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/53 "2026-09-01T19:25:19Z")
I’m just wondering what “encourage” means in actual practice, in the context of a federal regulation, that someone enacted, and somebody else rescinded, etc etc. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/54 "2026-09-01T19:45:48Z")
Under the 2012 regs … If the cars employ auto stop start, the manufacturer can treat that under the CAFE regulations as _X_ reduction of their CAFE number. I don’t know the _X_ value, but it was enough that many, not all, manufacturers decided that a really cheap way to achieve a better CAFE number was to add auto stop/start. Ultimately the CAFE regulations said you need to make cars that get good mileage. We don’t care how you do it; that’s for your engineers & marketers to figure out. The stop/start, and other details of how EPA mileage ratings are determined set the playing field. Then they mostly left the manufacturers to figure out how to play by the rules and get under the CAFE bar. Or, ref VW’s “Dieselgate”, how to cheat to get under the CAFE bar. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/55 "2026-09-01T20:36:49Z")
Has anyone considered the state of battery charge, especially if the starter motor is used, and even if it’s used minimally? Example: It’s a cold winter night. Your headlights are on. You’re in miserable stop-and-go traffic. Engine keeps stopping and starting. Then you’re stuck behind a long line of cars waiting to make a left-hand turn. Then you’re at a railroad crossing waiting for a two-mile long freight train to go by. Headlights on the whole time, engine not running. What condition will the battery be in when you try to start the car the next morning? Stop/start has to be the worst idea in automotive history ~~with the possible exception of the Edsel~~ with the possible exception of the 1957 Cadillac gigantic tail fins. The whole idea behind the invention of the alternator is that it can charge the battery even at engine idle. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/56 "2026-09-01T20:44:41Z")
The computer, at least on decent cars, knows all that. And won’t auto stop / start if it needs heat for the cabin comfort, refrigerant compressed for the cabin comfort, or alternator output to charge the battery. If I was sitting stopped for a 2-mile slow freight here in the heat my engine would start and stop several times. Everybody is thinking like it’s 1975 and grasping at straws why this can’t work. And yet it does, and has on millions of cars driven billions of miles all over this country and for almost 2 decades. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/57 "2026-09-01T21:19:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The computer, at least on decent cars, knows all that. Your faith in modern technology far exceeds mine. My cynicism about it far exceeds yours. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Everybody is thinking like it’s 1975 and grasping at straws why this can’t work. And yet it does, and has on millions of cars driven billions of miles all over this country and for almost 2 decades. “Ethyl” (tetraethyl lead) was used in cars more than three times longer than that – around 73 years – before it was finally banned. Not a perfect analogy, but the point being that things that we think are terrific often turn out to be not as terrific as we think. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/58 "2026-09-01T21:37:53Z")
Overall I’m not a fan of auto stop/start. If it disappeared tomorrow I would not shed a tear. But I’m even less of a fan of “It cant’ work” in the face of billions of miles of experience that it does. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/59 "2026-09-01T22:01:53Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Overall I’m not a fan of auto stop/start. If it disappeared tomorrow I would not shed a tear. > > But I’m even less of a fan of “It cant’ work” in the face of billions of miles of experience that it does.   I never said “it can’t work”. It obviously does work, for some definition of “work”. My objections are about the potential problems that were either unanticipated or deliberately ignored when all this crap was engineered, and, independently of that, of the additional complexity and potential points of failure that were introduced as a result of said crap. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-ecologics-of-auto-stop-start/1032725/60 "2026-09-01T22:13:31Z")
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